Mildred Ann Ahmann Grant brought beauty to the world from the time of her arrival on February 17, 1931 until she passed peacefully in her home on October 16, 2012. Having an optimistic attitude, Mildred lived successfully for almost 30 years with pulmonary fibrosis and vasculitis, beating all the odds.

Mildred was born in Bakersfield, the daughter of Edgar and Georgie Ahmann. She and her sister Carol were raised in Elk Hills and she was valedictorian at the elementary school. Mildred graduated from Taft Union High School. She received an A.A. from Taft College where she met her husband to be, Lloyd Grant, who preceded her in death in 2005 after 54 years of marriage.

Mildred may be remembered for her friendly and helpful demeanor at the Automobile Club of Southern California where she worked for many years doing memberships, travel advisory and insurance adjustments. She was then promoted to Manager of the Taft office. When the Taft office closed, Mildred transferred to the Bakersfield office as the Manager where she commuted until her retirement in 1994, after more than 20 years of service.

During retirement, Mildred enjoyed traveling with Lloyd in their 5th wheel and also spent much of the year beating the heat in Taft at their mobile home in Morro Bay. Mildred loved to travel and took many trips all over the U.S. with her sister Carol. Mildred served as a volunteer in various capacities, the most notable being her service as Chair of the Board of the Taft Salvation Army. She attended the First Baptist Church in Taft off and on over the years.

Throughout her life, Mildred enjoyed sewing and handcrafting items. She embroidered, crocheted, and knitted hundreds of beautiful household items and clothing for herself, her home, her relatives and her friends.

In 2010, after 40 years of residing in Taft, Mildred moved to a small and comfortable home in Kern City, Bakersfield to be closer to her children, her sister, and her doctors. As her physical health failed, Mildred continued to enjoy the arrivals of her great-grandchildren, her poodles, her television shows, and her crossword puzzles. She was alert and positive until the end. One of Mildred’s greatest achievements was her ability to listen to everyone and offer loving and supportive advice.

Mildred is survived by her three children and their spouses: Bob and Mona Grant of Bakersfield, Kathy and HJ Desy of San Diego and Diana and Jesse Esparza of Bakersfield; her sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Dean Kleck of Tehachapi, her sister-in-law Ann Ahmann of Missouri; her 7 grandchildren: Jeffrey and Joanna Grant, Crystal and Derek May, David and Jessica Grant, Robbie Desy, Sarah Desy, Natalie and Ramon Marzolo, and Anthony Esparza; and 9 great-grandchildren.

In accordance with Mildred’s wishes private graveside services will be held. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Salvation Army. The family wishes to thank all the caregivers who helped make Mildred’s final days comfortable.